By: Evan Skilliter, sports information assistant
Stats http://www.bluffton.edu/athletics/mensbasketball/2014/12-29-mb.htm
The Beavers opened the 2013 McDonalds of Bluffton and Monsanto Holiday Tournament with a 76-50 defeat of the Ohio State University-Lima Barons on Sunday, Dec. 29, at the Sommer Center. Thayne Recker (Arlington) and Dustin Kinn (Alvada/New Reigal) led the Beavers with 17 points each.
Junior point guard Ryan Ebbeskotte (Delphos/Jefferson) hit a jumper on the first possession of the game to help ignite a 23-6 start for the Beavers. After a three-pointer from OSU-Lima's Steven Sullender slowed the run at the 9:35 mark in the first half, two free throws from Kinn and a Jordan Turner (Swanton/Delta) jumper helped extend the lead to 18.
Freshman Austin Rohde (Shelby) found Recker in the paint for two with 59 seconds remaining to give the Beavers a 21-point (40-19) lead, but OSU-Lima's Craig Perry was able to answer with two free throws just before halftime, making the score 40-21 at the break.
OSU-Lima's Mason Cajka opened the second half scoring with a layup to pull the visitors within 17, but Brock Homier (Continental) answered with a trifecta and the Beavers never looked back, extending the lead to as many as 37 before ultimately claiming the 76-50 victory.
Aside from Kinn and Recker's 17-point contributions, Ebbeskotte added nine points, five assists and two rebounds. Will Pope (Somerville/Prebble Shawnee), Billy Taflinger (Lima/Central Catholic), Turner and Adam Hopkins (Wellington/Keystone) each scored six points, Rohde turned in four, Homier added three and senior Matt Weisenborn (Bowling Green/Otsego) finished with two. Pope and Recker led the Beavers with seven rebounds each.
The Beavers ended the game hitting 47.6 percent mark from the field, compared to 17-of-55 for the Barons (30.9 percent). Bluffton shot 14-of-19 (73.7 percent) from the charity stripe.
Bluffton will take on the North Park University Vikings tomorrow for the McDonald's of Bluffton and Monsanto Holiday Tournament championship at 2 p.m., following the consolation game between OSU-Lima and Ohio Midwestern. North Park defeated Ohio Midwestern 83-59 earlier on Sunday afternoon.
-BEAVERS-
